Tourist Submarine, Maldives

How often do we get to sit in a submarine let alone see one?

Here's a chance for a dive in one of the world's only tourists submarines if you visit the Maldives.

According to the Whale Submarine Maldives' website : On board the submarine you will descend to a submerged reef 40 meters beneath the surface. However the first stop is at 25 meters where you will see a colorful display of corals and different types of reef fish. In most of the dives the submarine is greeted by a school of blue or yellow-stripped Snappers. Common Lionfish, Yellow Box Fish and turtles are usually found here. Next stop at 40 meters is yet another type of coral garden and depending on current the submarine will be beached on a sandy spot just close to a big cave. The exterior lights of the submarine will enable you to see the different types of fish taking shelter inside the cave. Occasionally White Tip Reef Sharks and Napoleons are sighted here. If you are lucky you may be able to see one of the biggest Groupers in the Maldives here on this location.

The submarine ride costs U$ 75 for 45 minutes underwater.

I have never been on a submarine so i thought why not, for the experience.

The submarine ride is highly recommended for families with young children and those who are not keen on snorkeling or diving. The website says it's disabled-friendly as well. From my observation, most passengers on the submarine are well-dressed Asians who didn't look like they want to get wet snorkeling or diving.

Inside the submarine.

If your intention of boarding the submarine is to look at the marine lives underwater, i suggest that you snorkel or dive if you are able to. It's Maldives afterall, 99% of Maldives is water! The marine lives we have seen from the glass windows of our submarine were disappointing. It felt exactly like plunging into a giant aquarium with many dead corals and typical marine fishes you always see. Not a pretty sight at all compared to what i have seen snorkeling in the tropical waters of Malaysia and other parts of Maldives. This is what happens when tourism becomes too commercialised - the ecosystem suffers.

The sad looking fish.

The angry looking fish. 'why are you humans trespassing into my territory!!!'

Some fishes inside the underwater cave.

Lionfish and others.

Another type of marine fish. Nothing special.

Oh, the only other good thing about the submarine ride is that you get to photograph and record videos of the marine lives underwater from the submarine IF you don't have a water/underwater proof camera or an underwater protector with you.

Well, for the once-in-a-life-time feel of being on a submarine i shouldn't be complaining so much.

Check out the Whale Submarine Maldives webpage for more information.